Wednesday 7 October 2009

Hey. You. I don't like your e-mail.

As you'll notice, I don't much go in for advertising or product reviews on this blog. In truth- I really can't be bothered. Occasionally, if I come across something I'd like to share, you hear about it.

That's not to imply I'm an uncaring person. Indeed I've recently been of some assistance to a bloggy friend and her short story, and I've reviewed a book for another blogger, and made some PR contacts for her for when the book comes out. (And I'll tell you about the book when it launches as it's great.)

In fact I'm so nice that when I get requests to link, blog about, or otherwise do someone else's PR job for them, I usually reply promptly and politely decline. The other day I got a "follow up e-mail", only I couldn't remember ever getting the first one. My guilt/polite gene kicked in and I immediately felt terrible for missing the original one. It was to help promote a certain lady's product that isn't relevant to me at my time of life, doesn't really fit the profile of my blog and probably isn't relevant to most of my readers. As usual, I set about to write a polite but firm "no thank you" reply. It was at this point, I noticed the salutation.

Now, other bloggers have written about the irritation one feels when asked to review things that are either nothing to do with the blog, nothing to do with your lifestyle (ie. kid products when you have no kids), and generally come across as having been sent out to any old blogger. So here's my big bete noir (sorry - couldn't find a circumflex)-

If you want to make me feel like I've been specially chosen to help with your product, don't do any of the above and DON'T send it out addressed thus:

"Hey".

Because then my reaction will be "No way".

.

15 comments:

  1. Hey
    oops sorry- ok though -not asking you to promote me. just being very naughty. Good to chat yesterday
    X

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  2. This is such a hot topic right now and in the UK too. I do a few reviews if they are relevant and I want the stuff!!! Each to their own.

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  3. I have just started on this reviewing lark and it's Ok but I think I would blow a fuse if I was called "Hey"! I am very impressed that you were so restrained!

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  4. I would only be interested if I were addressed by my name and even then I would probably turn them down. I'm uncomfortable with direct marketing, although I do show ads on my blog through google. I never earn any money, though. It's a scam.

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  5. It's funny what people find annoying. I hate it when people email you a direct sentence with no manners - no "hello' or "hope you are keepign well" or "Thanks" at the end. I'm always puttling stdents up about it. They think I'm an old funddy-duddy.

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  6. Please excuse my last post and the terrible spelling. My fingers work faster than my brain!

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  7. Hey is for horses I was always told!!! LOL

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  8. Very well said. I agree completely. I'm tired of people asking me to review things but actually expecting me to go out and buy them myself then promote them for free. Absolutely NO WAY!

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  9. Extrememly good point. Direct marketers, take note!

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  10. Toni,

    I've been getting quite a few of those lately for some reason and I agree that some of them could use a lesson in email etiquette. I used to respond nicely as you do but now if I'm not interested I just ignore them.

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  11. I've noticed from many American TV shows that "Hey" seems to be the new "Hello" - in particular Jack Bauer on 24 greets everyone with "Hey". It would drive me mad too.

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  12. Guessing that'll be those Tena Lady people then! If so, they've been bugging me, too. I don't even bother replying now if people can't even extend the courtesy of a personal greeting. Grrrr.

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  13. I think you're lovely for even bothering to reply to anyone who sents you irrelevant stuff. I am ashamed to say that I don't even send a nice mail back. How rude.

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  14. You are nice. As you know. I agree that "hey" is a rubbish way to catch someone's attention.

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